The Congressional Crisis of Legislative Dysfunction
As Congress prepares to reconvene this week, the specter of yet another Continuing Resolution (CR) looms large over Capitol Hill. This frequent reliance on CRs is emblematic of a deeper, systemic issue in the U.S. government: legislative dysfunction and congressional gridlock. Continuing Resolutions, once considered emergency stopgap measures to keep the government funded in the absence of a formal budget, have now become the rule rather than the exception. Their repeated use signals not only the inability of lawmakers to fulfill their constitutional duties but also a significant departure from the norms of governance.
A CR is essentially a temporary measure, designed to avoid a government shutdown when Congress is unable to pass a budget. However, instead of being the exception in times of crisis, CRs have become a default tool to mask the failure of Congress to agree on and pass the twelve appropriations bills required to fund the federal government. This chronic reliance undermines long-term planning, disrupts government operations, and casts doubt on the ability of Congress to perform its most fundamental task: appropriating funds for the proper functioning of the nation.
A Broken Promise: The Pledge to Return to Regular Order
When I was elected to Congress in 2022, Republican leadership made a commitment to return to regular order—meaning the timely passage of twelve individual spending bills through a transparent and deliberative process. This was not just an aspiration, but a recognition that Congress had strayed from its constitutional responsibility. Regular order allows for greater accountability, ensuring that each component of the federal budget receives the attention it deserves through hearings, debates, and amendments. The promise to restore this legislative order was intended to bring stability back to a process that had become increasingly chaotic and politically fraught.
Unfortunately, that promise has not been fulfilled. Despite initial assurances, we remain locked in the same cycle of dysfunction that has plagued Congress for years. The failure to return to regular order is not just a matter of procedural neglect; it represents a breach of trust between elected officials and the American people. Moreover, it is a failure that has had tangible political consequences.
The Fall of Speaker McCarthy: A Lesson in Accountability
The inability to deliver on this commitment to regular order was a significant factor in the political downfall of former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. His tenure was marked by mounting frustration within his own party, especially among conservative lawmakers like Representative Matt Gaetz, who viewed McCarthy’s leadership as emblematic of the broader failures in Congress. McCarthy’s ousting reflects the growing impatience with leaders who make lofty promises but fail to enact meaningful reforms. In McCarthy’s case, his failure to prioritize and deliver on critical spending bills signaled a lack of direction and resolve, ultimately leading to his downfall.
McCarthy’s ousting also underscores a deeper ideological divide within the Republican Party. While some members are content with the status quo of governing by CRs, others are pushing for a return to more transparent, accountable governance. This tension has exposed the fault lines within the GOP and raised questions about the party’s ability to govern.